Drummers Input about AVH drum set up for 5150 tour

[forrestjump]

I was wondering if any pro drummers out there would know what it would cost to make an EXACT replica as Alex's kit on the 5150 tour. This should be fun. First, Have a drink. Thanks!
Forrest

[AT]

I was wondering if any pro drummers out there would know what it would cost to make an EXACT replica as Alex's kit on the 5150 tour. This should be fun. First, Have a drink. Thanks!
Forrest

Do you remember the tubes going from one kick drum to the next? That was some custom thing they thought would make a difference in sound; it didn't, but they left them because they "looked cool."

[Raldo]

Do they even make electronic drums anymore?

I'm glad Alex only had those for one album. It wasn't bad to listen to but as a drummer I'd rather have the pure sound.

[SR5150]

The SIMMONS SDS7 electronic pads/brain turn on the bay from time to time....just have to keep looking. They're no longer made I'm afraid.

As far as his cymbals/hardware/snare drum they should all be relatively easy to locate. Even the gong if you've got the money....

The VH encylopedia has the set up listed....if no one has posted this later, I will (at work right now).

Good luck with your search....it's a cool kit.

[Van Hampshire]

Actualy he used SDS-5 pads and the brain was the SDS-V. You can see them mounted next to him in a rack. I think he used two of them because the standard drum kit configurations had a snare, bass and three toms. Since Alex needed five tom sounds he need two brains. I play in a VH tribute and use two simmons pads run through the SDS-8 brain. They are much cheaper than the the SDS-5 and sound just like his tom sound. I think he also triggered his bass drums as well. The sds-5 came out around 1981-82 and Alex used it for diver down stuff, 1984 tour and 5150. I think his bass drums were custom made on the 5150 kit as they were like vistalite drums. Vistalite drums were discontinued in 1981. I also noticed he had vistalite floor toms tucked under his low simmons floor toms. I think the kit would cost a fortune to replicate as many of the parts are no longer made. There are two simmons sds-5 sets on e-bay right now, but they should get quite expensive. The Paiste cybals are quite expensive as well and the Vistalite shells would have to be custom ordered.(at least the bass drums). I use a classic maple Ludwig(like Alex) and have 10,12, top toms, 14,16 floors and a 16x22 bass drum with a double pedal. I have paiste cymbals to round it out as well as two simmons pads running through the sds-8 brain and I use a 6.5 supraphonic Ludwig from the early 80's. myspace.com/balancevhtribute is our web page. Good discussion as the 5150 tour was my first concert.
-Kurt

[Van Hampshire]

I almost forgot about the octobans on the front of the kit. I think it would difficult and expesive to replicate!

[forrestjump]

THANKS VAN HAMP !! !!! AWESOME.......I'm gonna start my findings!! Remember...anytime in Vegas, look me up for a few drinks!!!!
Later,
Forrest

[Van Hampshire]

No problem. If you really are going to do this I would love to see the outcome. Let me know if you have any more questions as I know a lot about simmons drums and Ludwig drums. His SDS-5 pads were black although he had a whte SDS-5 on the ou812 kit. The way to tell an SDS-5 pad is that the surface is hard and mirror like. The edges are crome like and the bottom of the pad is more flat than other models. SDS-8 pads look like SDS-5 pads but the surface is flat black rubber. I think the SDS-5 pads require a mic type cable rather than a guitar cord. Hope this helps.

[Duck]

I don't mean to derail this but I'm curious, what do you drummers think of electronic pads overall?

My neighbor is a very good drummer and he has a complete electronic kit as well as a regular one. He said that the electronic one is now his "main" setup.

I was thinking the electronic ones sound, well, sort of, hmm, "empty-ish." Something missing, but it is hard to describe.

[Van Hampshire]

I like them for certain things. I liked them in the 80's because they sounded so different. It was like having another voice. Plus it doesn't hurt that Alex was a big influence on me. I definately prefer real drums, especially vintage Ludwigs. I do think the electronic ones have thier place though. They are great for practice and I have seen a few bands live with them and they sounded pretty good. I guess I just like the tone of vintage three ply Ludwig shells that have lots of character.

[snare812]

Hye all,, great discussion! I love the simmons sound al got. It was different and cool. I love it when people shit on 5150..." i wish he would go back and re-record the drums with real drums...it's so 80's!!!" IT WAS 1986!!!!!! PEOPLE...... man ...that pisses me offf.....it's like...people cant appreciate the art of it...... ugh...anyhow....hahaha ....van hamp...great insight on the simmons info..... i have been playing for years and got al's snare sound down but i have always wanted to know how he got the kick sound.....ie: 5150 , OU812......that fucking RULESSSSS!!!! How in the hell would i get that? I got a maple ludwig.....24 kick..... sorry for the tangent..

breaka breaka 1-9

ps. I would love to recreate the OU812 kit. NOW THAT KIT ROCKS!!!! haha

[vhrocker]

HELL YEAH!!! snare812 the OU812 kit would be sweet to recreate.

[snare812]

Hell Yeah!!!!

It doesn't get any better than this!!!





or this!!!



hahaha you guys rule!!


Sorry to over take the thread with the OU812 Kit...
haha

ALEX VAN HALEN FUCKING RULES!!!

[Van Hampshire]

Here is my OU812 kit story. Back in 1991 I went to visit the Ludwig factory in NC. After I took the tour I asked the guide if any famous people come to the factory. He said "we've has Ed Shaugnessy from the tonight show and Greg D'Angelo from white lion." He then said "you would'nt happen to be a Van Halen fan would you?" I said Uhh Yeah...Sure! He said that "too bad because Alex was supposed to tour the factory and he would have been taking the tour with you right now." I said whatchu talking 'bout Willis! he said that they wanted to get Alex there for years and when VH played Charlette that he would come. I guess Sammy got sick and they just kept moving. Oh well. They also said that it was quite a site when the OU812 kit was built. Every one in the factory was buzzing because it was so cool and unique. Just my luck though!

[snare812]

Van Hamp, great story!!! What I want to know is about that kick sound. Whats in those bass drums? Where's the trigger? haha....I mean radial horns in the bass drums? Absolutely king!


breaka 1-9